Covers British imperial history, maritime trade, global commerce, and the history of the East India Company. The Company was an extraordinary force in global history for 3 centuries. This resource provides access to a vast collection of primary source documents held by the British Library. From the Company’s charter in 1600 to Indian independence in 1947, this collection tells the story of trade with the East, politics, and the rise and fall of the British Empire. (Coverage: 1549-1947)